A Student Worker's Perspective
What I have learned by working at Brownsboror Hardware & Paint
By Ian Horsell
It is 6:58 p.m. on a dark Thursday evening. I peer out through the large windows to the dimly lit parking lot. That is when I see him. The elderly man climbs out of his truck with a cane in hand. His walk is slow and cautious as if he has no sense of urgency. After what feels like the longest minute of my life, he makes it to the door. The time reads 6:59 p.m. We close at 7:00. This is the perfect example of the regularly occurring “last-minute customer.” As he walks in, I immediately greet him with a smile and offer my assistance. “Hello! Could I help you find anything?”
I have been working at Brownsboro Hardware & Paint, a small, locally-owned hardware store in Louisville, Kentucky for about three years. A community hardware store attracts all types of customers, and we acknowledge every one of them at the door, no matter the time. When I first started my job, I had no idea how to operate a cash register, turn on a gas grill, or even change a drill bit. I was certainly in no way confident in answering questions about customers’ hardware needs.
Working at the hardware store has given me a great knowledge of all sorts of tools. However, the most useful of these tools will not drive a nail into a wall or tighten a bolt. Instead, the most useful tools are the life skills that I have developed, such as patience, teamwork, communication, and work ethic. Whether I am helping customers, taking out trash, or assembling a grill, I try to tackle my tasks with a good attitude and efficiency. Working this job has also taught me time management. Time management is not just about doing what you are told quickly. It is also about punctuality and organization. Like most people my age, I have had to find a balance between school, work, social life, and family activities. These tools have strengthened my reliability as a coworker and person outside of work.
If you have ever been inside a big box store such as Lowes or Home Depot, your complaint will likely be that you “can’t find anyone to help you.” This is not the case at our store as we place a lot of emphasis on customer service, which is why we have so many returning customers. As a 17-year-old, I have had my fair share of people who are hesitant to accept my help. However, I have grown in expertise every day I work. I enjoy assisting customers who come into the store seeking direction and leaving with not only the parts and knowledge to complete a home project but also a smile on their faces.
Working at the hardware store has also given me additional opportunities to get involved in my community. I participate in charitable events that Brownsboro Hardware sponsors annually such as Egg Fest and Wreaths Across America. The funds raised through these events go towards causes such as A Recipe to End Hunger, Kentucky Harvest, and providing holiday wreaths for veterans’ graves at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery. In addition, I have helped several of our customers with other odd jobs around the community.
The “last-minute customer” has also taught me about myself. I used to be more of a procrastinator and often lacked motivation to get started on things until the last possible moment. I now know that this last-minute behavior affects how you are perceived and also creates unnecessary anxiety. The skills that I have learned and implemented through the last three years have made me a better student, coworker, and community member. These are tools that I will continue to use for the rest of my life.